Centre-State crossed fingers
By Insaf
The travails of the Congress in Andhra vis-à-vis the creation of Telengana might soon end. To douse the demand for Statehood, the Central Government extended an olive branch: It recommended the deletion of Clause 14 (F) of the 1975 Presidential Order which made Hyderabad a “free zone” for Government employment. Whereby, candidates from all over the State could compete for State Government jobs in the Capital. Recall, in 1969, when the agitation for a separate Telangana peaked, the Centre incorporated this Clause, thereby opening doors for people from the Andhra and Rayalseema region to avail jobs. Importantly, once the President approves Clause 14(f) removal, 70 per cent of gazetted officers posts would be reserved for locals and 85 per cent non-gazetted officers jobs, including sub-inspector posts, for the residents. Happily, this has resulted in the Telangana Congress Steering Committee leaders including Ministers, MPs and MLAs’ who had tendered their resignation to put pressure on the Party by staying away from official duties have decided to maintain status quo for now.
However, notwithstanding this, rival organisations in the Telangana and Andhra-Rayalseema regions resorted to a bandh on Wednesday for their share in Government jobs pie in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, State Government employees resorted to a pen-down strike resulting in the Chief Minister enforcing the Essential Commodities Act in the State. Interestingly, sick of increasing vandalisation by rival groups on the Statehood issue, businesses have innovated to get around the problem — by acknowledging Telengana on their bill boards. Many of Hyderabad’s leading corporate colleges, private coaching centres and other educational institutions have incorporated Telengana in their names. Importantly, this has not only won peace from protesting mobs but also paved the entry for others in the entire region identified as Telengana. Fingers are crossed whether the measures will see the return of peace and normalcy.
Jaitapur On Horizon
Maharashtra was caught in the cross-hairs of some good and bad news. The Centre has finally decided to amend the Atomic Energy Act to facilitate the world’s biggest nuclear plant in Jaitapur. To get around the contentious issue of protesting farmers, the Government will now acquire land in and around the plant by evoking an order barring land owners from ‘using and enjoying their lands close to the nuclear site’. Besides, Jaitapur, several other villages and Mangrow plantations which produce the famous Ratnagiri Alfansos have been included in the draft Bill. Undoubtedly, this is music to the ears of the State Government as only 33 out of 2335 farmers had accepted compensation. On the other hand, the State is busy grappling with the oil spill around Mumbai coast following the sinking of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel MV Rak. The Coast guard has launched Operation ‘Paryavaran Suraksha – 2/2011 and asked people to stay clear of all beaches in the city. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has his fingers doubly crossed.
MP Takes On Centre
Madhya Pradesh has said a big no to Centre’s shoddy work culture. In a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, CP Joshi, on Wednesday last Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan sought denotification of 10 National Highways passing through the State. The reason: “Extremely poor maintenance” by the National Highway Authority of India, which was unacceptable. A resolution to this affect was passed by the State Cabinet. To justify his demand, Chouhan enclosed photographs showing how stretches were unmotorable with water-filled potholes leading to traffic jams and accidents. Shockingly, of the 4,709 km length of National Highways in the State, the NHAI which was entrusted with maintaining 3,827 km had failed as 2,393 km are in a shameful condition. The Chief Minister has reason to make the demand as earlier the State PWD was responsible for maintenance of the National Highways. But after the NHAI was entrusted the job two years ago it resulted in a sorry mess. Will the Centre pay heed or at least put its house in order?
SC Snubs TN CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s has invited a hard knock from the Supreme Court. The AIADMK Government’s petition seeking scrapping of her arch rival Karunanidhi’s scheme of a common syllabus across schools in the State was dismissed by the Court on Tuesday last. “Political agenda of an individual or a political party should not be subversive of the rule of law”, observed a three-judge Bench. Recall, the DMK Government had in 2010 enacted the TN Uniform System of School Education Act, which would have a common syllabus for schools this year. While the czarina would be smarting under the Court order, the parents are happy with the verdict. Primarily, because for nearly three months children were attending schools without textbooks!. With the impasse now over students can heave a sigh of relief.
Manipur In Flames
After a lull, Manipur is up in flames again. This follows violent agitation for the creation of a separate Sadar Hills district. For the past few days, protesting mobs set fire to several Government offices and vehicles and blocked National Highways 39 & 53 that links Manipur to the outside world through Nagaland. The newly-formed Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee primarily wants those areas incorporated in the new district which have a dominance of the Kuki community. However, Manipur’s All Naga Students’ Association is opposing this demand tooth and nail by asserting that the views of the Naga Tribes have to be considered prior to any decision. Till date, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh has failed to resolve the issue. Will the Centre now intervene?
Another Bihar Scam
After the controversial allotment of Bihar Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) allotment to the kith and kin of the polity, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is now facing another scam. The Bhoodan land meant for SCs and STs is illegally being occupied by politicians. The shocking facts came to the fore in an interim report by the Kishangarh Administration which showcased 52 illegal occupants (MLAs, belonging to all parties and wealthy OBCs) of 837 acres in Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad and eight other districts. INFA